Having compassion for less fortunate people is a strength, but please be aware that preditory and opportunistic people instinctively zero in on those with compassion. People holding signs aren't always homeless or necessarily more disadvantaged than the people giving them money. Undercover TV news investigations revealed some of these folks making over $700 a day, owned cars and lived in houses. (This example is from a local news investigation in Grand Rapids, Michigan a few years ago) When I was out Christmas shopping last season, a man approached me in the mall and asked if I could please help him. I don't carry much cash either, and I live paycheck to paycheck anyway, but I opened my wallet and found a few ones in there next to a $20. When I reached for the single bills, he saw the $20 bill and asked why I couldn't give more. A red flag to me, especially after seeing another shopper just give him a $20, along with a meal from the food court. It's hard to verify how valid a person's needs are, but I would advise using a mix of caution and compassion, unless you have enough disposable cash to absorb throwing your money towards imposters. I've never lived on the streets, but have struggled, so when preditors panhandle, it's an injustice to me. Please give, but be on the lookout for wolves...........